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Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

movies|night%20at%20the%20museum%3A%20battle%20of%20the%20smithsonian|2009-05-21

In addition to Ben Stiller, the cast will be rounded out by many from the original film as well as several new characters from history. The centerpiece of the film will be bringing to life the Smithsonian Institution, which houses the world's largest museum complex with more than 136 million items in its collections, ranging from the plane Amelia Earhart flew on her nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic and Al Capone's rap sheet and mug shot to Dorothy's ruby red slippers and Archie Bunker's lounge chair. No major film has ever shot inside the Smithsonian in Washington... until now.

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Editorial

If you're talking comic fireworks, you'd think you could light up a New Year's Eve with a cast that includes Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Ricky Gervais, Steve Coogan, Hank Azaria, Christopher Guest, Robin Williams, Bill Hader, Amy Adams and every second co-star from the American version of The Office (and Toofer from 30 Rock). But lucky director Shawn Levy's powderkeg ensemble gives off only mild sparks rather than crackling Catherine Wheels in this flashy but underdone sequel.

The first Night At The Museum was a jolly, visually dextrous entertainer which wasn't nearly as corny or mass-produced as many claimed. Second time around, there is a stronger case to be made that the after-hours adventures of Larry Daley (Stiller) are fluffier and limper than they should be, considering the A-grade elements at work. Blessed with upgraded special effects, moments of comedy goodness and a delightful premise which fuels childish imagination, NATM2 is enjoyable enough as a family-friendly frolic.

Levy reported that his jaw-dropping slate of stars tried to crack each other up during takes. Either they had little success, or Levy chopped out envelope-pushing exchanges, because on-screen results suggest all talent self-censored and took the restrained road. Occasionally this pays off — Jonah Hill nails it as a security putz — but the hopeful blatherings of Hank Azaria as a lisping Egyptian baddie demonstrates how getting cool actors to dress up like historical figures doesn't instantly create funny characters.

Most players get no time to shine, allowing Amy Adams to stick out as flygirl Amelia Earhart. Her gosh-darn delightful turn is the most satisfying, something you won't say about the Daley and Earhart mush. With action sequences spread out and curiously muted (despite their largesse), this sequel's bigger canvas seems to have been a bit too much for lacklustre Levy to fittingly fill.

Hilton Thomas